Make your trip to the beach a healthy one

May 16, 2024

With the arrival of the warm weather, Niagara Region Public Health is encouraging residents and visitors to have a healthy experience at the beach this summer. 

Public Health tests beach water quality from Victoria Day to Labour Day to make sure the level of bacteria in the water is safe for swimming. Entering the water with high bacteria levels can cause gastro-intestinal illness if the water is swallowed.

Additional factors that may cause bacteria levels to rise include numerous birds or waterfowl, a large number of people swimming, wind and high waves, cloudy water and heavy rainfall.

Help keep our beaches clean by doing your part:

• Do not feed birds or animals
• Do not use soaps or shampoos in the water
• Use the washroom facilities provided
• Place garbage in bins or take it with you

Niagara Region Public Health will be sampling 19 beaches along the shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The majority of beaches will be sampled twice a week, with a few of the smaller beaches sampled once a week for the season.

Beach water testing results are available online at niagararegion.ca/beaches. Residents and visitors are also reminded to look for posting signs that inform swimmers about high levels of bacteria in the water. 

For more information on beach water testing visit niagararegion.ca/beaches. 

Media contact

Courtney Westerhof
Niagara Region Public Health
905-688-8248  ext. 7303
courtney.westerhof@niagararegion.ca